World number two Angelique Kerber began her title defence at the Sydney International with a 7-6(3) 6-2 victory over Italian Camila Giorgi to reach the quarter-finals on Tuesday.

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - WTA Tour Finals - Singapore Indoor Stadium, Kallang, Singapore - October 26, 2018 Germany's Angelique Kerber reacts during her group stage match against Sloane Stephens of the U.S. REUTERS/Edgar Su